February 23, 2001

Dear Reader:

There are a few places in my house that I am likely to go when I sit down with a book. One is the family room, where I have a spot on the couch that is "mine." Another is my bed, where I can hide out and really lose myself in a book. In the summertime, I sit outside in our hammock. I can read almost anywhere, but the right location can elevate reading to a level of pure relaxation. I often dream about creating a special place in my house just for reading. I picture a soft, luxurious chaise in the corner of my bedroom, with a reading lamp beside it and a stack of books --- both old favorites and alluring new releases --- waiting to be enjoyed.

This week's Question of the Week is, "What is your ideal place to read, real or imagined?" Reply here --- and if you're one of those lucky souls who has a personal library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves; or a gazebo in the middle of your rose garden, just for reading; or a cushy armchair in an attic hideaway where no one can ever find you to take you away from your book . . . now is your chance to make the rest of us jealous!

Last week we asked, "When reading either fiction or nonfiction, what period in history do you most like to read about?" There are many readers of history in our midst, with a surprising variety of interests. Check them out here.

Word of Mouth
Are you one of our Word of Mouth regulars? Word of Mouth is your chance to speak your mind about whatever you're reading, to find out what real readers think about the books you're seeing in bookstores, and to discover new books and authors. And every week we choose one contributor to win a new book. Join us!

AuthorsOnTheWeb.com
Where on the web can you find contests and trivia for booklovers, links to the best author websites, profiles of favorite authors, advice about writing from today's leading authors, and more? On AuthorsOnTheWeb.com, the latest website from the Book Report Network! Many of you have already written to tell us how much you love this new addition to the Network. If haven't visit AuthorsOnTheWeb.com yet, visit today , and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to become eligible for our monthly book giveaway.

ReadingGroupGuides.com
Whether or not you belong to a reading group, I recommend visiting ReadingGroupGuides.com for further info about your current read. If you're reading Oprah's latest pick, We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, we have an interview with the author and a biography of Oates, in addition to throught-provoking questions about the story. We're adding new guides all the time, including classic favorites like The World According to Garp by John Irving and The Island of the Day Before by Umberto Eco.

And every month, subscribers to the ReadingGroupGuides.com newsletter have the chance to win books for their whole reading group! If you're not in a reading group yet, I bet that after visiting ReadingGroupGuides.com you'll want to join one or even start one of your own (don't worry, we've got advice for doing just that!).

NEW THIS WEEK

Bookreporter.com On The Road With...

Joni Rodgers Joni Rodgers, author of BALD IN THE LAND OF BIG HAIR, discusses the motivations, the hardships and the rewards of writing a candid memoir on a painful subject with Bookreporter.com's interviewer Jana Siciliano.

FEATURES

ANGELHEAD: My Brother's Descent Into Madness A difficult but moving chronicle of a family's love and pain as they cope with the debilitating disease of paranoid schizophrenia. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

HOT SPRINGS by Stephen Hunter Adding to the Swagger family saga, Hunter's new thriller defines 1940s Arkansas with remarkable prose and memorable imagery. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted.

THE VENDETTA DEFENSE by Lisa Scottoline Defending a client against a murder charge becomes complicated when the client claims he was avenging his family's honor. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub and excerpted. And for Scottoline's thoughts on writing, visit our special feature on AuthorsOnTheWeb.com.

BALD IN THE LAND OF BIG HAIR by Joni Rodgers Underlying the humor in this memoir is a very human tale of a courageous woman who battled cancer and lived to write about it. Reviewed by Jana Siciliano and excerpted.

SPECIAL FEATURE: ITALIAN VOYAGES This selection of books representing the colorful mosaic of Italy can be a refreshing escape from these last few dismal weeks of winter. Reviews by Jami Edwards and Vern Weissner.

PERSPECTIVE: STICKER SHOCK: The Value of Books Today Despite all the reasons we may value books, Jamie Engle warns publishers they're exceeding the spend limit.

* * * * * * *

Browse book heaven: Amazon.com.

Try your favorite magazine risk-free and lock in amazing low prices at enews.com.

Palm cases, desk accessories, leather-bound journals and more, at the literate shopping center Levenger.com.

The personal tragedies behind Amy Tan's THE BONESETTER'S DAUGHTER and an excerpt of Gail Godwin's HEART are in this month's BOOK Magazine.

* * * * * * *

Reviews

HUNTING SEASON by P.T. Deutermann A former intelligence operative races to save his daughter before his former employers have him "terminated" in this action-packed political thriller. Reviewed by Jamie Engle.

HONKY by Dalton Conley A unique memoir contrasting the complexities of the social hierarchy in an African-American/Latino ghetto with those of an all-white suburban community. Reviewed by Tony Leuzzi.

THE BODY ARTIST by Don DeLillo An engrossing novella that explores deep metaphysical questions when a young widow is confronted by a cryptic stranger. Reviewed by Jeff Bercovici.

DOG ISLAND by Mike Stewart A lawyer tangles with Florida's darkest criminals in a southern-flavored thriller. Reviewed by Ann Bruns.

DOTCOM DIVAS: E-Business Insights from the Visionary Women Founders of 20 Net Ventures by Elizabeth Carlassare True tales of what it's like to run a dot.com company, from a group of female entrepreneurs. Reviewed by Carol Fitzgerald.

(PB) GOT TO BE REAL: Four Original Love Stories by E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, Marcus Major, and Colin Channer A quartet of male authors provide a unique collection of sensual and engaging love stories with universal appeal. Reviewed by Bernadette Adams Davis.

(PB) E: A Novel by Matt Beaumont In this highly unusual cyber-style novel, corporate intrigue and ad agency politics are revealed as e-mails fly around an office. Reviewed by Jonathan Shipley.

(AUDIOBOOK) ANIL'S GHOST by Michael Ondaatje, Performed by Alan Cummings A richly detailed, highly emotional narrative of an anthropologist investigating human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Reviewed by Marge Fletcher.

Contests and Giveaways

One Word of Mouth contributor this week will win Heart by Gail Godwin. For details, visit Word of Mouth.

Every month one Bookreporter.com newsletter subscriber wins a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate. To subscribe to the newsletter and automatically be entered to win, send an e-mail to newsletter@bookreporter.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you already receive this newsletter in your e-mailbox every week, why not forward it to a friend? (For the official contest rules, click here.)

And now...I'll leave you to get back to reading!

--- Carol Fitzgerald ( Carol@Bookreporter.com) for The Book Report Network: Bookreporter.com * ReadingGroupGuides.com * Teenreads.com * Kidsreads.com *AuthorsOnTheWeb*